Speakers | ISEAL Global Sustainability Symposium 2026
Meet the speakers who will be sharing their insights at the ISEAL Global Sustainability Symposium. They bring a diverse range of perspectives from producers, businesses, policymakers, and sustainability organisations, offering practical knowledge and experience from across sectors.
This page is updated regularly as additional speakers are confirmed, so please check back in for the latest updates.
Edward Akapire
Fairtrade Africa, Head of Region - West African Network
Juliana Asiedu holds a diploma in General Agriculture from Kwadaso Agricultural College and is currently pursuing a degree at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). She is a youth member and financial secretary of Offinso Fine Flavour Cocoa Cooperative (OFFCOP). A Fairtrade Women School of Leadership graduate and Best Female Leader (2024), she trains farmers on labour rights and sustainable cocoa production and advocates for smallholder farmers.
Juliana Asiedu
Ghanaian cocoa producer
His Excellency Alex Assanvo
Cȏte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), Executive Secretary
Larry Attipoe is a key member of ITC global agribusiness team and Africa Regional Coordinator of value chain interventions in cocoa and coffee with a keen eye on sustainability. He was previously the International Development Director of Fairtrade International.
Lawrence Attipoe
International Trade Centre (ITC), Regional Head
Joseph Bandanaa
Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (SWISSCO), Country Lead - Ghana
Simone Giger has served as Switzerland’s Ambassador to Ghana, Benin and Togo since August 2022, based in Accra, and is the first woman in the role. Since joining the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in 2006, she has worked in eight countries and built strong expertise in international cooperation and diplomacy. She has led diverse teams and managed major programs. She holds degrees from the Free University of Berlin and Indiana University and is passionate about sustainability, inclusion, and women and youth empowerment.
Her Excellency Simone Giger
Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana, Ambassador of Switzerland to Ghana - Togo & Benin
Leonardo Iacovone
The World Bank, Practice Lead - Ghana
Karin Kreider has been Executive Director at ISEAL since 2012, working on external and member engagement, partnerships, governance, strategy, and all things good institutional management. Previously she was involved in the start-up of Rainforest Alliance and worked on organisational development and the launch of their forestry, agriculture and tourism programmes.
Karin Kreider
ISEAL, Executive Director
Caitlin Peeling
The Hershey Company, Sustainable Sourcing Cocoa Manager - Data, Learning & Assurance
Vidya Rangan has been with ISEAL since mid-2015, working on research, engagement and our human rights programme. Today she leads ISEAL’s Policy and Engagement team and the Research and Evidence programme.
Vidya Rangan
ISEAL, Policy and Engagement Director
George Watene
Global Coffee Platform, Programme Manager - Kenya Coffee Platform
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